Don't get me wrong, I love summer. The long, warm nights, the days at the beach, the lack of structure and routine, really I do love every minute of it. However, about this time every year, I feel suffocated a bit. I adore my kids, but sometimes, especially when we are together all day, everyday, I need a break. This has been a very busy summer, in all the right ways, but I'm a bit out of sorts, feeling like life is moving and I'm left behind trying to catch up. So, I declared yesterday a daddy day and I happily had very little planned but to spend time with myself.
The morning started off at my writer's group, which the above picture beautifully captured our inspiring meeting place. This group, all of writing mamas, is my sanctity on so many levels. It forces me to do what I love surrounded by some amazing women whom I adore.
After writer's group, I headed to one of my favorite hiking spots. It was oddly wonderful and weird to hike alone. Just to have the quiet moments to myself to think, ruminate, and ponder through such a landscape was just what I needed. The mosquitoes, however, I could have done without, but a little reminder that not everything can be perfect.
I drove home the long way, slowly along the ocean, listening to the music I like, stopped off at my favorite thrift store, found some treasures then headed home. It doesn't sound glamorous, but I spent the rest of the day cleaning my house, from top to bottom. Cleaning is not my favorite thing to do, but I love a clean house very much. I read an article a few years back over at Apartment Therapy about how to maximize cleaning time by just doing it, but in a way you love. So, I've always followed suit with that: yesterday, I put in an book on CD and listened to the entire thing as I cleaned. It was so much more enjoyable scrubbing my bathroom that way!
I've learned through the years that it is okay--no it is necessary--to need a break from your kids. It doesn't make you less of a mother, but rather, it makes you a better one because you are being honest about your needs. It can be an walk in the woods or a weekend away, but regardless, it is acceptable and commendable to revel in being alone and/or being away from your kiddos. Just like you need a break from them, they need a break from you, too. And I promise, coming back together, you are refreshed, recharged, and renewed.
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